the Biology of sotne British Neuroptera. 569 



These larvae, and also those of some other species, 

 e. g. perla and dorsalis have a curious attitude of resting 

 on a surface, especially when a firm grip is desirable, as 

 when feeding on a large aphid. The abdomen is extended 

 and fixed by the anal papilla. The legs having obtained 

 a firm hold, the abdomen is now arched, so that considerable 

 tension exists betv/een the two regions of fixation and a 

 very firm grip is obtained. 



The pupal stage lasts from two to three weeks. 



The two above examples give a fair idea of the times 

 taken in each stage. The first was fed entirely on apple 

 woolly aphis. The second lived from the time of emergence 

 8/8/20 until 9/10/20, and was then only killed by accident. 

 It laid, in this time, ninety-four eggs. 



Chrysopa septempunctata is one of the few insects wliich 

 naturally feed upon v/oolly aphis, Eriosoma lanigerum 

 Hausm. I have frequently found larvae thus engaged. 

 No debris is carried by the grown larva, but at first there 

 is a tendency to do so. 



Chrysopa perla Linnaeus. 

 Wing expanse 24-30 mm. 



C. perla is one of the two British blue-green Chrysopids 

 and can be confused with no other except perhaps C. dor- 

 salis, which is also blue-green in colour. Both species are 

 conspicuously marked with black and the abdomen is far 

 more black than green, as a rule. C. j^erla differs from 

 dorsalis in its more bluntly rounded wings, green subcosta, 

 and tarsal claws dilated at the base internally. 



This is one of the most abundant of British Chrysopids 

 in deciduous woods, but not often seen in gardens. The 

 type of woodland preferred is one of hazel and hawthorn 

 undergrowth, although the species also frequents lanes 

 and hedgerows. In old oak or beech woods with little 

 undergrowth, as in some parts of Epping Forest, it is 



